In a significant political development ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Union Minister and Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief Ramdas Athawale has declared his party's support for the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The announcement sets the stage for a consolidated front against the opposition in the 2026 civic polls.
Strategic Alliance for Mumbai's Civic Power
Ramdas Athawale made the pivotal announcement on Wednesday, confirming that the RPI(A) will formally join the Mahayuti coalition for the upcoming BMC battle. The Mahayuti, or grand alliance, in Maharashtra currently comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction under Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
Athawale stated that his party has put forth a clear demand to its alliance partners: the RPI(A) expects to contest at least 20 seats in the 227-member BMC house. This move is aimed at ensuring adequate representation for the party's core voter base within the city's complex political landscape.
Negotiations and Seat-Sharing Formula
The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment indicated that while the final seat-sharing formula is still under discussion, the RPI(A)'s claim is based on its historical presence and influence in certain pockets of Mumbai. The party has traditionally drawn strength from Dalit and other marginalized communities, a significant demographic in several city wards.
"We will be part of the Mahayuti. We have demanded 20 seats for the BMC elections," Athawale was quoted as saying. He expressed confidence that the senior partners in the alliance would consider the demand favorably, emphasizing the importance of a united fight to retain control of India's richest municipal corporation.
Implications for the 2026 Political Battle
This alignment is a strategic boost for the ruling Mahayuti, which seeks to maintain its hold over the BMC after a period of administrative uncertainty. The civic body has been under a state-appointed administrator since early 2022, after the term of the previous elected house ended.
The 2026 elections are seen as a critical mid-term test for the state's ruling coalition, especially with the principal opposition, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), likely to mount a formidable challenge. The RPI(A)'s decision to side with the Mahayuti consolidates the alliance's position and potentially prevents a split in votes among allied communities.
Athawale's announcement also clarifies the political stance of his party, which has at times experienced fluctuations in its alliances. By committing early to the Mahayuti, the RPI(A) aims to secure a firm bargaining position and begin grassroots preparations well in advance of the polls.
The finalization of the seat-sharing arrangement among the Mahayuti partners will be a key process to watch, as it will reveal the internal balance of power and the electoral strategy for capturing Mumbai. The RPI(A)'s demand for 20 seats will now be a central point in those negotiations.
